SOLUTION: The distance from the bottom of the ladder to the building is 8 ft less than the length of the ladder. How high up the side of the building is the top of the ladder if that dist

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: The distance from the bottom of the ladder to the building is 8 ft less than the length of the ladder. How high up the side of the building is the top of the ladder if that dist      Log On


   

Question 1068872: The distance from the bottom of the ladder to the building is
8
ft less than the length of the ladder. How high up the side of the building is the top of the ladder if that distance is
4
ft less than the length of the​ ladder?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use the Pythagorean theorem,
L%5E2=%28L-8%29%5E2%2B%28L-4%29%5E2
L%5E2=L%5E2-16L%2B64%2BL%5E2-8L%2B16
L%5E2=2L%5E2-24L%2B80
L%5E2-24L%2B80=0
%28L-20%29%28L-4%29=0
Two potential answers but since one length requires subtracting 8, it would lead to a negative length which doesn't make sense.
L-20=0
L=20ft